Controversy Erupts Over Waqf Bill as JPC Faces Allegations of Bias

Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi criticized the Joint Parliamentary Committee for hastily advancing the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, alleging a lack of thorough discussion and exclusion of key stakeholders. Opposition MPs called the process biased, but Home Minister Amit Shah indicated willingness to include dissenting views in the report.

Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi raised serious concerns on Thursday about the Joint Parliamentary Committee's (JPC) handling of the Waqf (Amendment) Bill. Gogoi claimed that the committee expedited the report without a detailed 'clause-by-clause' analysis, neglecting to invite essential stakeholders for the discussion.

'This JPC committee and the way it has been functioning, they have been rushing through. There was no clause by clause discussion. The genuine stakeholder was not invited,' Gogoi stated. He further alleged that the committee lacked the intent to conduct a 'democratic, deliberative, parliamentary exercise,' instead forcefully pushing the report on a matter of 'utmost sensitivity.'

Gogoi highlighted that opposition MPs had insufficient time to review the extensive 665-page report and submit objections. 'We have all been part of many JPCs. There's always clause by clause discussion, and it was completely bypassed. Why? Under whose pressure was the chairman acting?' he questioned. The opposition accused the JPC of bias, arguing that their dissenting notes were omitted from the final report. Meanwhile, Home Minister Amit Shah conveyed the government's openness to incorporating opposing views. The Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024, aims to introduce reforms like digitization and enhanced transparency.